New conure owner

[gabriela58]

Hi,

my name is Gabriela and I'm a first time conure owner. I bought my sun conure Pixie from a breeder, when she was 3 months old. For the first 6 weeks I visited her twice a week, until I could take her home, which was about 1 1/2 weeks ago. So she's 4 1/2 months now. I decided she's a girl, but of course I have no idea.
Anyway, I have a few questions about behavior:
when I took her home, she felt very comfy right away, she eats well, screams little and is in general a friendly, pleasant little fellow.
I had trouble at first taking her out of the cage, because she made a big fuss about it and I basically had to grab her, which we both hated.
Now I put my shoulder inside the cage (it has a big door, LOL) and she steps on it and that's fine. I don't know whether there's a better (and for me more comfortable) solution. I tried to have her step on a stick, but as soon as the stick moves, she's stepping down. But we're working on that.

My main question is this:
the first few days, when I took her out (I take her out of the cage twice a day for about 30 minutes to an hour each), she just wanted to snuggle and nap.
Things have changed now: all she ever wants to do, when she's with me (or any other human family member) is preening me. I probably should feel honored, but it's getting a little annoying. She learned to listen to "No!" and stays away from my eyes and mouth now. The rest of my upper body is preening area. I would like to play with her more, but she gets annoyed if I stop her from preening. So far we're playing "the monster under the shirt", where I put my hand under my shirt and move it around and she tries to catch it. Any other suggestions for games? Is it normal that she constantly wants to preen me?

[The Outlaw]

Her behavior is very normal and it shows that she trusts you. Actually, most of us find that behaviour pleasurable. However, you could try teaching her tricks like giving the high five, catching a rolled up sock, opening a box or little mailbox, whatever. It will give you both an opportunity to play.

THE OUTLAW

[Stacey32]

Sorry, I don't have enough experience to comment on in depth bird behavior, ...but it sounds so sweet :) What a cutie!

I would continue to praise her if she does show interest in toys, tricks, etc., and whenever she does things besides preening?

[gabriela58]

I'm glad that constant preening is normal and that she trusts me. I find it pleasurable also, but sometimes it gets a bit too much and I'd like her to do other things. BTW, I don't have to use my shoulder anymore to get her in and out of the cage, as of today she decided to step on my hand. She is a very quick learner.

And Stacey, she is sooo cute! In 1 1/2 weeks I managed to fall head over heels in love with that bird. I was never interested in birds and had no idea how loving and entertaining they can be. I got a bit more interested, when my kids got their pudgies this summer and while buying supplies in a pet store I saw my first sun conure and I knew then, that I just had to have one!

[LtlWngdAngl]

I love it when one of mine (okay, only Oscar and Cayo) preen me...I can't get enough!
Congrats on the progress!!

[gabriela58]

Thanks for the congratulations, Nina!
And thank you to all of you, such a nice bunch!
I don't want to badmouth anyone, but I joined the conures group at Yahoo and they never post my messages! The owner has to approve every single message and most of the time it takes her more than 14 days to do that, which means the message is gone!
Most of my messages have been rejected, although there was nothing offending in them, just innocent bird questions! Oh well, I don't get it, but I don't need them anymore.
I like this group wayyyy better!

[LtlWngdAngl]

We're a fun group most of the time :D Just like a family does, from time-to-time, we have our "moments", but we always come through them stronger than we were before. I'm glad you're here :D

[loro_loco]

Congrats on your new baby! My conure is almost 16 and I can tell you it only gets better as they get older and develope their personalities. Conures are very inquisitive and intelligent little guys (or girls). They constantly learn new stuff. Welcome to a long time of feathered fun. They never do seem to tire of preening, though.

PS - I feel the same way about the board on Yahoo, but I still check in as there is good information there as well.

[TonyB.]

i also have a sun conure i have only had her for 3 days and she constantly wants to preen my mouth and ears hehe its so funny and i just say no no and she stops but goes right now i only have had her for 3 days and she trusts me alreay the pet store raised her so good and she really took to me already but good luck breaking her of that seems to me they want to keep there human friends looking sharp so the preening will happen hehe

[tournant]

My sunny Diva LOVES to preen me. I won't let her near my mouth but occasionally will let her "do" my eyebrows. She is the ultimate velcro bird and is not shy about letting us know what she wants, LOL! I have been working with her on being able to entertain herself on a stand or swing nearby us, we have a big orb/boing festooned with toys hanging in the living room bay window, one hanging in a corner of the kitchen (she's not allowed in there when I'm cooking, tho) and one out on the screen porch. She's getting much better about not wanting to BE on me all the time, she is such a snuggle-butt!